Erfurt (dpa/th) - From the point of view of the managing directors of Märchenland GmbH, reading stories is an important cornerstone for the future. "People should continue to read fairy tales to children so that they can fall back on them when they get older," says Silke Fischer. Fairy tales are "food for the soul". Studies by the company have shown that regular storytelling hours in nursing homes increase the cognitive abilities of residents with dementia and make them more active. In a first test phase, 25 senior citizens' facilities took part in the preventive measure "Once upon a time... fairy tales and dementia" in Thuringia.
In the hybrid preventive measure, professional dementia tellers, who tell the stories of the Brothers Grimm and others in a specific way, take over four regular fairy tale hours in the respective facility. They also train the employees of the facilities to read aloud, so that they can later hold fairy tale lessons themselves. Digital fairy tale hours and working materials complement the fairy tale hours. A cooperation agreement between the state, health insurance companies and the fairytale land ensures the continuation of the program. In the future, professional storytellers will regularly read stories by the Brothers Grimm and others to people suffering from dementia in 25 other facilities.
One of the institutions in which the program is being implemented is the Weimarblick senior citizens' center in Weimar. Health Minister Heike Werner (left) will read from the Grimm fairy tale "The sweet porridge" here on Wednesday. "We are very happy because the last round could only take place with virtual reading hours," said Fischer. "Now we finally continue with real fairy tale hours."
According to Werner's ministry, around 50,000 people in Thuringia suffer from dementia, and the trend is rising. The fairy tale campaign is part of the national dementia strategy. In addition to Thuringia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Berlin and Saxony are also taking part.
